Edward M. Irwin

Who was Edward M. Irwin?

Edward Michael Irwin was a U.S. Representative from Illinois. Born near Leasburg, Missouri, Irwin attended the public schools of his native city. He taught school in Leasburg, Missouri and also attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. He was graduated from Missouri Medical College at St. Louis in 1892.

Irwin moved to New Athens, Illinois in the same year and commenced the practice of medicine. He served as chairman of the Republican county central committee 1898-1924. He moved to Belleville, Illinois in 1903 and continued the practice of medicine. In addition, he served as Coroner of St. Clair County 1904-1908.

Irwin was elected president of the Belleville Bank Trust Co. in 1910. He served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1920. Irwin was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-ninth, Seventieth, and Seventy-first Congresses. He served as chairman of the Committee on Claims. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1930 to the Seventy-second Congress. After leaving Congress, he resumed the practice of his profession. He died in Belleville, Illinois, January 30, 1933 and was buried in Green Mount Cemetery.